Search101 browser hijacker removal instructions

The Search101 search hijacker is an example of a standard unwanted program; such programs are distributed massively these days. In this article you will see the detailed directions of “Search101” hijacker elimination in different tactics: using anti-malware software and also hand-operated elimination procedure.

Search101 – What is it?

“Search101” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically shared as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to browse some particular information, for instance, about sport events, make your web browser much more secure, enable downloading of any kind of web video, and so on.

However, the “Search101” plugin is quite pointless because all such features are currently built-in to your browser and/or system. Such marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. But often even skilled users are getting caught on such a lure. In specific instances, this hijacker is distributed together with free programs.

Here is a short info for the Search101 hijacker

How harmful is Search101 hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, Search101 hijacker is also really unsafe for web browser usage. It changes your search engine to its particular – Search101.info, and also modifies your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, changing it to default with the specified symptom).

In addition to aesthetic alterations done by Search101 hijacker, you can notice that some of your search questions are redirecting to the suspicious websites, full of links and ads – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can have web links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting rises if you try to open Google search page by force.

But all these actions are a lot more annoying than really dangerous. The most important threat, especially for people who have a considerable amount of secret information in their browsers, is embedded in information gathering functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited sites, as well as other activities are simply gathered by Search101 hijacker.

How to remove Search101 search hijacker?

• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are often rather very easy to delete. For the most part, they have an independent app that can be found in the list of installed apps. Due to the certain distribution tactic of Search101 hijacker, it can be simply tracked and erased manually. Nonetheless, if you got Search101 in the package with a free applications, your computer may be contaminated with far more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you utilize anti-malware programs to delete the Search101 PUA and all various other malware.

You can spectate the detected malware sorted by their possible hazard during the scan process. But to choose any actions against malicious apps, you need to wait until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To choose the action for each detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malware. By default, all the viruses will be moved to quarantine.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be counteracted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be located in the Tools tab.

After choosing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be shown, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing Search101 hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

To reset Edge, do the following steps :

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :



2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

For Mozilla Firefox, do the next actions :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :



2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :


After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

If you use Google Chrome

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :



2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :



3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

Opera can be reset in the next way

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :



2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender